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Gum disease is one of the most common dental health issues. There’s good and bad news when it comes to gum disease. The bad news is that it can cause irreparable damage to your gums and the bone structure beneath. The good news is that it can be prevented. If you’re worried about gum disease, here are some tips to help you spot the danger signs and keep your gums healthy.

Spotting the signs of gum disease

Mild gum disease can be treated, but if it’s left to develop, gum disease can result in severe symptoms, and even premature tooth loss. If you spot the warning signs, see your dentist as soon as possible. Don’t wait for your next scheduled appointment. The most common signs of gum disease include:

Swollen gums

Bleeding gums (usually this is most noticeable when you brush your teeth)

Redness in the gums

Painful gums

When gum disease becomes more advanced, you may also notice that your gums have receded (this can make the teeth look longer than normal) and you may experience an unpleasant taste in your mouth.

Preventing gum disease

Gum disease is preventable, and your best weapon against unwanted symptoms is good oral hygiene. Gum disease is caused by harmful bacteria, which combine with food debris and saliva to form a substance called plaque. The bacteria in plaque release acids, which irritate the gums, and cause them to become painful and inflamed. If you brush twice a day and follow your dentist’s hygiene recommendations, you should be able to keep gum disease at bay. We also recommend regular dental checks, and avoiding a sugary diet. Smoking can also increase your risk of gum disease. If you do spot signs, call and make an appointment as quickly as possible. The sooner we can treat you, the lower the risk of permanent damage.

Periodontal disease can cause a number of problems to oral health, often leading to the need for treatment like dental implants if not properly taken care of. It leads to bad breath and a growing number of studies have found that it can also cause a loosened hold on teeth from the gums and the eventual loss of teeth.

The disease is usually brought on by poor dental health and is becoming an increasingly common risk to oral health worldwide. It can be hindered from both the dental studio and at home and many dentists are urging patients at risk of the disease or who already suffer from it to use additional oral cleaning equipment such as rinses, floss and tongue scrapers.

A study at Kyushu Dental College in Japan attempted to answer the question: “Does periodontitis cause halitosis or does it occur alongside oral odour?” Halitosis is another word for bad breath and can be caused by a number of things, including dry mouth or particular foods and potentially periodontitis.

The study was conducted by observing the oral health of those with periodontal disease and those without. 101 adults volunteered for the experiment and their oral health was inspected. The volunteers included those with good oral health and those with periodontal disease. Saliva samples were taken from each patient in an attempt to discover exactly how periodontitis and bad breath are related.

The study eventually discovered that the presence of the bacteria – bacteroides forsythus – in the main area of the mouth shows positive links to bad breath. The bacteria is usually only found underneath the gums of people suffering from advanced periodontal decay.

The discovery of the exact bacteria present in the mouth of a person suffering from periodontal disease should go a long way towards curing halitosis in those with the disease, with eventual hopes that a prevention of the disease can be found. If this is not the case treatment such as dental implants may be recommended.

Get expert diagnosis and treatment of bleeding gums from City of Leeds dentists

Bleeding gums can be a common occurrence when brushing your teeth or flossing. If the problem persists then you should inform your dentist so that any problems can be dealt with. Bleeding from the gums might be an early sign of tooth decay which, if not dealt with properly, can lead to tooth loss.

The most common form of gum disease is a condition known as gingivitis and can manifest itself with bleeding gums. You ought to inform your dentist if this happens to you so that the problem can be treated. Antibiotics might be required but in most cases it is necessary only to tighten up your home oral hygiene routine.

It is crucial that gingivitis is dealt with and eliminated because it can lead to periodontitis. This is an advanced form of gum disease which causes the bones holding the teeth in place to become inflamed. This can end in the loss of teeth themselves, a painful process which will likely involve invasive surgery.

Looking for a cosmetic dentist? Leeds dentists are here to help

As well as following advice in recommended home oral hygiene habits, you should also visit your City Dental Leeds dentist every six months so that your mouth can be examined. If you find that your gums are bleeding then you should make an additional appointment rather than waiting for the next check up. Bleeding gums might only be the result of you brushing with too much vigour, but it could signal that something worse is beginning to take hold and your dentist needs to be kept aware of such developments.

Periodontal disease is a stage of gum disease. It infects the tissues that support your teeth and the bone that surrounds them. Along with tooth decay it’s one of the two most major threats to a person’s dental health and thus should be taken very seriously.

Symptoms of gum disease

It begins as gingivitis as the gums become red and swollen, eventually causing them to bleed. If it’s left untreated for a period of time, gingivitis can then develop into something a lot more severe called periodontitis and this can spell disaster. With periodontitis the teeth can be severely loosened and may even fall out entirely. This is because periodontitis causes the gums to pull away from the teeth and the surrounding bone can be lost. It is important to do your best to ensure that this disease doesn’t take effect or have time to develop. It’s a good idea to look out for some of the symptoms that precede periodontal disease, including bad breath, red or swollen gums, pain when chewing, and sensitive or loose teeth. But if you don’t manage to prevent it from occurring there are ways to manage it.

How can it be treated?

To keep gingivitis at bay it’s absolutely vital to both floss and brush regularly as this stops bacteria building up in between teeth and on the gums. Seeing a dentist at least once a year could mean the difference between gingivitis being caught early and therefore not developing into the far more severe periodontitis. If you suffer from any of the preceding symptoms that were mentioned earlier, it’s even more necessary to see a dental professional. A dentist is able to do a lot more intensive treatments that will help, such as prescribing medicines, deep cleaning of the tooth root surfaces and sometimes, if necessary, corrective surgery.

Gum disease is the UK’s major reason for tooth loss in adults. However, it is a preventable problem and one that can be successfully treated if it’s caught soon enough.

The signs of gum disease

The main signs of gum disease include bleeding gums and gums that are swollen, red and/or tender. The gums may appear to be pulling away from the teeth and you might persistently experience a bad taste in the mouth. A tooth or number of teeth could feel loose and your bite may have changed as well.

Causes of gum disease

Gum disease is primarily caused by dental plaque that has been allowed to build up around the gum line.The bacteria found in plaque produce a form of acid and other toxins which begin to eat away the gum tissue. If left untreated the acid will eventually begin to eat away the teeth and the underlying jaw bone. This is why it is important to brush twice daily and floss every night.

What treatments can be used to cure gum disease?

Stage 1 Treatment:

In the very early stages your dentist might suggest that you improve your oral hygiene routine. The following may be suggested to you: begin to brush your teeth and gums for 2 to 3 minutes twice daily and flossing every night. If possible use an electric toothbrush as these remove more plaque than a manual one and use an antiseptic mouthwash. This form of treatment may well be enough to cure the problem.

Stage 2 Treatment:

A professional scale and polish may be the next step as this will ensure that all plaque and tartar is removed. It will also include cleaning under the gumline, which should remove the problem plaque and cure the infection.

Stage 3 Treatment:

In some cases of gum disease ‘root planning treatment’ is required. This is essentially a deep clean which gets below the gum line and under the teeth to the roots. This is done under local anaesthetic and patients may feel some discomfort for a few days after the treatment. However, this can be soothed with over the counter painkillers.

With any other part of the body, most people would seek urgent help if they noticed abnormal bleeding. But with the gums, many of us admit to ignoring blood, often assuming that the problem will resolve itself. At City Dental Leeds, one of our main priorities is to prevent gum disease and equip patients with knowledge and advice to keep their gums healthy. If you notice bleeding when you brush, please get in touch and arrange an appointment. Often, there will be nothing to worry about but if you do have signs of gum disease we will provide a speedy remedy before it gets any worse.

What do bleeding gums mean?

Bleeding gums are one of the most common symptoms of gum disease, an oral disease that can potentially lead to the premature loss of the teeth. Gum disease occurs when bacteria in the mouth release acids that irritate the gums. The most common risk factor for gum disease is poor oral hygiene. However, smoking can also increase the risk of developing gum disease and our diets also play a role in the status of our gum health.

Other symptoms of gum disease include swelling, pain, soreness and tenderness.

When should I see my dentist?

If you have inflamed or sore gums or spot blood when brushing your teeth, it’s advisable to get in touch and book a session with us. With gum disease, symptoms tend to get worse fairly quickly and dealing with them as early as possible is always the best course of action. In many cases of gingivitis (mild gum disease), it is possible to prevent the advancement of the disease by providing powerful cleaning treatments and adopting good oral hygiene practises at home. It’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your dental health, so if you do have bleeding gums, notice changes in your mouth or develop dental pain, the best course of action is to get checked out.

At City Dental Leeds we’re always aspiring to provide gold star standard treatment for our clients and when it comes to gum disease, we have an array of preventative and curative measures. We strongly believe that prevention is always better than cure and we’re here to keep gum disease firmly at bay. If you have signs of gum disease or you wish to maintain a clean bill of oral health, you’ve come to the right place.

About gum disease

Gum disease is a common oral disease, which is caused by harmful bacteria releasing acids that irritate the gums. The main symptoms of gum disease include swollen or sore gums, bleeding (which is most noticeable when you clean your teeth), tenderness and redness. The early signs of gum disease are usually relatively easy to treat and this is why it’s so important to see your dentist if you notice symptoms. If mild gum disease is left untreated, it can develop fairly quickly and advanced gum disease is much trickier to treat.

The main risk factor for gum disease is poor oral hygiene, but a diet packed with sugary foods, smoking and avoiding regular dental appointments can also elevate the risk.

Preventative measures

The best way to fight gum disease is to maintain good oral hygiene at home, see your dentist every six to nine months for a check-up and try to steer clear of sugary and acidic foods and drinks. It’s also really beneficial to be aware of the potential warning signs and to act on them if they become noticeable. Booking an appointment at an early stage helps to stop gum disease in its tracks. In order to keep the mouth as clean as possible, we recommend brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing every day. We also highly recommend seeing a dental hygienist at least once every 12 months for a deep clean.

Treating gum disease

Gingivitis, the mild form of gum disease, can usually be tackled with oral hygiene treatments and good cleaning techniques at home. In more severe cases, a number of sessions is usually recommended and these will be provided by our dentists and dental hygienists, who work together to ease symptoms and stem the spread of infection. The aim of gum disease treatment is to prevent the situation from getting worse and ensure that you don’t feel any pain. We tend to use a combination of techniques and treatments including regular hygiene sessions, scale and polish and root planing.

Do you feel self-conscious when you smile? Do you feel like your teeth look short and small? Do you long for a beautiful smile? If so, we have the perfect solution for a gummy smile. Although a gummy smile is nothing to worry about health-wise, it can affect people’s confidence and we have excellent cosmetic solutions to make the smile look more attractive and prevent our patients from feeling self-conscious when their smile is in the spotlight.

About gummy smiles

A gummy smile is the name given to the look of the smile when the teeth are covered by a considerable amount of gum tissue. This means that a large amount of gum tissue is on show when you smile and the teeth usually look shorter and smaller than normal. There are no medical symptoms associated with a gummy smile and you don’t experience any pain or other unpleasant effects, but the look of your smile can have a major bearing on your confidence and if you’re unhappy with your smile, this can lead to a lack of self-esteem and you may feel uncomfortable in settings when your smile is on show.

If you have a gummy smile, we are able to address this issue using gum contouring, which is also known as gum reshaping.

What is the aim of gum contouring?

Gum contouring is designed to shape the gums in order to create a more balanced and attractive smile. The procedure involves removing a very small amount of gum tissue and contouring the gums to unveil more of the tooth structure and create a better aesthetic. Gum reshaping makes the teeth look slightly longer and larger and ensures that more of the tooth structure and less of the gum tissue can be seen when you smile.

How does gum contouring work?

Your dentist will use their expertise and skill to gently remove targeted areas of gum tissue. We use the latest techniques and after just an hour, your smile will look completely different and you’ll be overjoyed with the result.

At City Dental we provide expert dental care to prevent and treat gum disease, one of the most common dental diseases in the UK. Whether you have a clean bill of oral health, have symptoms of mild gum disease or are suffering with periodontal disease, we can help.

Diagnosing gum disease

Gum disease is caused by the presence of harmful bacteria in the mouth that release acids that irritate the gums, causing them to swell and become extremely sore and tender. In the early stages, the most common signs of gum disease include bleeding gums (this is usually noticeable when you clean your teeth or floss), inflammation and pain in and around the gums. As gum disease progresses, additional signs may become noticeable. These include bad breath, an unpleasant taste in the mouth and the formation of pockets located between the teeth and gums. In order to diagnose gum disease, our dentists use their experience and expertise to assess and detect symptoms through thorough examination of the mouth and particularly the gums. In severe cases, additional tests to determine the extent of damage to the bone tissue beneath the gums may also be carried out.

Treating gum disease

Treatment for gum disease is usually provided by dentists and dental hygienists. In mild cases, good oral hygiene helps to reduce symptoms and prevent the condition from getting worse. We may also offer you advice for practising good oral hygiene at home and recommend frequent dental hygiene sessions. In the case of advanced gum disease, treatment requires a long-term approach as periodontal disease causes permanent damage to the bone supporting the teeth. The aim of treatment is to minimise damage and to ease symptoms. Frequent dental hygiene sessions are recommended and treatments such as root planing and scale and polish are used. In very severe cases, surgery may be required.

Preventing gum disease

Thankfully, gum disease is preventable in most cases and there are some really easy steps you can follow to help you reduce your risk of developing oral health problems. These include:

brushing your teeth twice a day

brushing for at least two minutes each time

using fluoride toothpaste

brushing gently

flossing daily or using inter-dental brushes

limiting your sugar intake

seeing a dentist for a check-up every six months

We also recommend trying to quit smoking if you are a smoker. Smoking increases the risk of gum disease, as it reduces oxygen flow to the gums. We understand that it can be very difficult to quit smoking and we are able to offer practical advice and support to help you to give up for good.

It may seem a little unlikely that caring for your gums will have a significant impact on your general health, but numerous research studies have established a strong link between oral and general health and it seems that looking after your teeth and gums will produce much greater benefits than a healthy, attractive looking smile. Spending just a few minutes each day caring for your mouth could have significant rewards for your general health.

Oral and general health

As dental professionals, we are always eager to hammer home the importance of a healthy mouth, but don’t just take our word for it – Scientists all over the world have produced incredible findings that suggest a connection between oral and general health. Research suggests that poor oral health, most notably gum disease, can increase the risk of a host of potentially very serious systemic illnesses including heart attacks and strokes. Research has also linked gum disease with a heightened risk of dementia, diabetes and complications during labour and pregnancy.

A study conducted in Scotland, which involved more than 11,000 adults, suggested that people who have poor oral hygiene are more likely to develop gum disease and in turn, suffer from cardiac events, while research cited by the American Academy of Periodontology claims people with periodontitis are up to twice as likely to develop coronary artery disease.

How to prevent gum disease

The good news for our patients is that gum disease is largely preventable and following these simple steps will stand you, your gums and the rest of your body in good stead: